A man has appeared in court charged with murdering his friend on a fishing trip eight months ago.

William Cameron, 37, is accused of murdering Darryl Fitch, 43, in Bridge of Weir, in July last year.

Fitch, of Paisley, was found dead in a remote stretch of the River Gryfe, between Bridge of Weir and Houston, after he was brutally attacked.

The pair had been camping at a beauty spot known as the Locher Water, near Crosslee Road.

Fitch's lifeless body was found face down and fully clothed in the water.

A murder inquiry was launched which resulted in Cameron, who also sustained injuries at the time of the incident, being arrested and charged.

He appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday represented by defence solicitor Charlie McCusker.

Cameron, of Paisley, made no plea or declaration to the charge against him and the case against him was considered for prosecutors to investigate further.

He is accused of killing Fitch on July 10 or 11 at the Locher Water.

Prosecutors claim he repeatedly struck his head against an unspecified "blunt instrument" and "by means unknown" inflicted further injuries on Fitch, leaving him with a severe head injury.

The charge against him states that Cameron murdered Fitch as he then drowned after the attack.

Sheriff Tom Ward remanded Cameron in custody.

He is expected to make a second court appearance next week.